19 January 2004 – Foreign Affairs Secretary Delia Domingo Albert today said that she would highlight the important role that women played in peace and development in Mindanao when she delivers the keynote address before the Annual Conference of the Mindanao Commission on Women on 21 January 2004.

“I am looking forward to addressing the women of Mindanao for they have been through so much.  No discussion of the future of peace in Mindanao should be made without the involvement of its women,” the Secretary said.

“They have a vital role to play, from recognizing true needs and interests, to expressing the values that would make peace more meaningful; from maintaining vigilance to being strong advocates for peace,” Secretary Albert emphasized.

In her keynote address, the Secretary will also be discussing the peace and development challenges facing the women of Mindanao and situating these challenges within the context of what is happening in the Philippines, the Asia-Pacific region and the rest of the world.

“I fully support the work of the Mindanao Commission on Women and congratulate them for their dedication and commitment to peace and the advancement of the women of Mindanao,” the Secretary said.

300 women leaders from Mindanao are expected to attend the Annual Conference of the Mindanao Commission on Women.  The theme of this year’s conference is “Women Moving the Mindanao Agenda.”

The Mindanao Commission on Women is a non-stock, non-profit organization composed of women leaders from the six regions of Mindanao, including the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao.  It has a close working relationship with the National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women.  Its main thrust is to
create a strong voice in policy-making and resource allocation in favor of women. END.